Chess books

[sho'nuff]

also for non opening books,

Simple Chess not sure who the author is

is a great book on strategy,planning. very good book, small book though


my favorite all-time chess book is Chess Curiosities (forgot the author
too)

anybody read this before? this is the most entertaining chess book i have ever read, very informative, alot of peculiar curiosities about chess, interesting history, stories, games , legends, myths, etc.
it is an old book , i borrowed from the library when i was in college. i am trying to find a copy to buy in the store or online.

 

[FIHTies]

Originally Posted by Cantabrigian

Anyone have a recommendation for an accessible but useful book on chess strategy / openings?

Tread Carefully. The game is addictive.

So who plays here?

 

[Journeyman]

I used to play quite a lot in high school and university, but now only play a few times a year. I hope to teach my son how to play chess when he's a bit older (he's only just turned two).

Whilst it's not a book on how to play, I read "Bobby Fischer Goes to War" a couple of years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Subtitled "How the Soviets lost the most important chess match of all time", it details Fischer's somewhat turbulent rise to the top of international chess, and as the title would indicate, devotes considerable detail to Fischer's triumph in the 1972 championship.

I must say that prior to reading the book I didn't know a great deal about Fischer - I knew that he was somewhat eccentric and that he was a naturally gifted chess player. However, I didn't realise that he was such an - to put it simply - arsehole.

Anyway, I'd recommend the book to anyone interested in the recent history of chess and also interested in the tactics used by Fischer and Spassky in the most famous chess game of all time.

 

[Thracozaag]

I used to play in tournaments and such as a kid, but it was yet another activity that fell by the way-side as I concentrated more and more on music growing up. Still play for fun every once in a while--a good exercise for the brain. Who's everyone's favorite player? Mine is Tal, with Bronstein a close 2nd.

koji

 

[Dewey]

I do not play anymore. No time, really, and when I do play, it's depressing. I was once a decent player. I know well enough to see how much my game has atrophied, and I can't bear to watch myself play.

Once upon a time I spent an hour studying for every hour playing. Most of the studying hours were going over games. I'd cover the forthcoming moves and not reveal each one until I had thoroughly analyzed the situation and had some idea of the range of possible choices. This is a great pleasure, but who has the time for such meditations today? Not me. Perhaps when I retire.

 

[Saucemaster]

I used to play, and used to study a bit, too. Eventually the addiction faded somewhat, but I think if I started playing regularly again, it'd be back in no time.

Interestingly, what I miss most aren't the long, involved, complicated games that I used to love. What I miss, even though I only rarely used to play it, is speed chess (5 min or less on each clock) for money. That was a thrill.

 

[Thracozaag]

Originally Posted by Saucemaster

I used to play, and used to study a bit, too. Eventually the addiction faded somewhat, but I think if I started playing regularly again, it'd be back in no time.

Interestingly, what I miss most aren't the long, involved, complicated games that I used to love. What I miss, even though I only rarely used to play it, is speed chess (5 min or less on each clock) for money. That was a thrill.

Ever play those guys down in Washington Park in Philly?

koji

 

[johninla]

has no one mentioned the Immortal Game: history of chess by david shenk? it's really a good read.

 

[Brad]

Originally Posted by FIHTies

So who plays here?

I like to play, but I'm horrible. I play around 2500. Oh, my side hurts.

 

[Saucemaster]

Originally Posted by Thracozaag

Ever play those guys down in Washington Park in Philly?

I actually don't think I've played chess against a non-computer opponent since I moved here. Kind of sad. I watch guys play in Rittenhouse Square sometimes, but I haven't joined in.

 

[Thracozaag]

Originally Posted by Saucemaster

I actually don't think I've played chess against a non-computer opponent since I moved here. Kind of sad. I watch guys play in Rittenhouse Square sometimes, but I haven't joined in.

Beware--they're good and good at hustling.

koji

 

[Saucemaster]

Originally Posted by Thracozaag

Beware--they're good and good at hustling.

That much, I've gathered by watching.

 

[sho'nuff]

Originally Posted by Thracozaag

Who's everyone's favorite player? Mine is Tal, with Bronstein a close 2nd.

koji


My favorite eccentric players are Tal and Morphy. two pure geniuses with spectacularly brilliant and mind boggling tactics out of nowhere. Tal is a big risk taker and I like that about him.

One story I read about Tal in a tournament he made a complete blunder by placing his knight en prise in full sight. However, he never changed his look, and because of that, his strong opponent thought it had got to be a trick of some kind , did not take the knight. Tal afterwards said he sweating and totally relieved he did not take his knight as that would be the end to the game.

Also he was such an eccentric in person as well; he had bad health and when he was hospitalized once for his kidneys failing, he snuck out to the local bar to play chess , and the hospital had to send police to go grab him and drag him back to the hospital.

My favorite SOLID players are Karpov and Petrosian.
These two players if I were to play like someone, I would like to play like them. Solid, powerful, unbreakable, methodical .

 

[Saucemaster]

Good call on Morphy. Some of his classic games are just works of art.

 

[Thracozaag]

Karpov and Petrosian always bored me, despite their obviously amazing gifts--I just am more temperamentally inclined to appreciate the more sacrificial styles of Tal, Alekhine, Keres (before he switched to positional chess), Morphy, Bronstein, etc. The "solid" players that I do enjoy are Cabablanca (so elegant) Fischer (obviously) and Lasker.

koji